Retinol is arguably the most researched and clinically proven anti-ageing skincare product on the market. Brands such as Obagi and Environ which are Retinol based have had huge success due to the effectiveness of the product, but is all Retinol the same?
Surprise, surprise…the answer is no! This blog is to help explain Retinol strengths, normal reactions and what to expect from this super anti-ageing ingredient!
Continue reading “Retinol/Vitamin A – Is it really worth the hype?”
I love my tattoos…all 5 of them and can’t say that I want to remove them right now but we all know someone who has regrettable ink. In a recent article from the Huffington post it was reported that nearly 1/3 of brits with tattoos regret getting them. People who do have second thoughts are left with 2 options…cover it up or remove it! This weeks post it about tattoo removal using lasers and what to expect…
Continue reading “Everything you need to know about how to get rid of tattoos with laser!”
Make up is such a wonderful thing, I hear some women complain about it being another thing forced upon us by the patriarchy, but I feel lucky that when I’m hungover and looking like death, it’s socially acceptable for me to stick on concealer or mascara and look half human again!
I spend a lot of time, effort and money on my skin, so isn’t it reversing this hard work when I wear make-up?
Continue reading “Mineral make up, what’s it all about and do we really need to use it?”
HydraFacial holds a special place in my heart as it was the first treatment I ever trained in when I started my career as an Aesthetician. In the last 7 years I have done thousands of HydraFacial’s and still love performing them to this day. It’s funny how life turns out, this treatment was my first step into the world of aesthetics and now I work for the company, helping clinics to run events to launch the facial all over the UK and Ireland!
This may lead you to think that I will be biased but please don’t, nobody’s paying me or has asked me to write this blog post. I am doing it of my own accord and love for the treatment that I have seen help many people, including myself, to have healthy, radiant looking skin. Here’s how it works…
Continue reading “HydraFacial – From a practitioner, patient & reps experience!”
I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention, but the UK is currently in a heat wave…or it was when I started writing this! Lovely though it is, it does come with some side effects, mainly sweating. Sweat is of course totally natural as it’s our bodies response to being overheated. 1% of the population however suffers with Hyperhidrosis which is associated with an over production in the sweat glands.
As a sufferer myself, I have been fortunate enough to try aesthetic treatments for the treatment of underarm Hyperhidrosis and wanted to pass on my knowledge & experience!
Whether it be stubbly legs, bushy bikini lines or hairs on your chinny, chin, chin! Let’s face it, hair can be pretty annoying. Unfortunately, it’s now commonly thought that the way to get rid of unwanted hair for good is with laser treatments…well that’s not actually fact. This week’s blog aims to cut the crap and give you the facts about what your hair removal options are!
A bit about hair…
We have hair all over our bodies in different forms. There is vellus hair, which is the soft downy hair that can be found on the arms and face and terminal hair which is stronger like that on the head and underarms. Each hair is going through a life cycle as illustrated below.
Anagen stage – Where the hair is active and attached to the root
Catagen stage – This is where the hair is transitioning and detaches from its blood supply
Telogen – The resting phase, the detached hair rests in the follicle while the new hair starts to grow
Exogen – Shedding stage, this is where the new hair that’s grown in the follicle pushes the old hair out
Treatments such as laser only work on hairs in the anagen stage as the laser uses the hair as a pathway to the blood supply. The laser light is highly absorbed by dark hair pigment, so it travels down the hair and ends up weakening the blood supply. If the hair isn’t attached to a blood supply, then it will not have an impact on the hair! This is why you need to have multiple treatments with gaps between them as not every hair is treated in every session.
Laser…permanent hair removal?
If you see a clinic offering you complete hair free skin with laser then get ready to be disappointed. Laser treatments can claim permanent hair reduction. What you’re generally left with following a course of treatment is very patchy, very fine hair which is far more manageable.
Don’t get me wrong, I love laser, it’s a brilliant treatment. I used to have a real problem with shaving rash, especially around my bikini line on holidays, laser really helped me with this and now when I do need to shave there is none of that annoying rash or discomfort! I just want to make sure that people’s expectations are realistic so that their expectations are realistic.
FAQ
How many treatments? – 6-8 sessions are normally required for the initial course with a top up every 6 months to keep hair at bay
What sort of reduction is seen after a course? – 60% to 80% reduction is the average reduction seen
How often do you need to have treatments? – Once every 6-8 weeks depending on the treatment area
What does it feel like? – A hot flick, it’s not exactly relaxing but most people can tolerate it
What needs to be avoided? – You can’t have any sun exposure in the area during the course as this could change your skin colour and lead to the laser not being set correctly for your skin type. If you regularly wax or epilate you will need to switch to shaving as the hair needs to be present in the follicle for the treatment to work
Are there any associated risks? – There is a risk of burning, scarring and hyperpigmentation. This would only take place if the area had too much sun exposure or if the laser is not set correctly
(click here to read more about pigmentation and laser treatments)
What should I look for? – When going for a consultation make sure that you have a patch test prior to starting any treatment and that you are given a thorough consultation! Avoid groupon deals as these tend to be done with very low-level equipment (IPL) which is not as effective at hair removal. The best choice would always be an alexandrite laser for light skin types and a diode or ND:YAG laser for darker skin types
What colour hair does laser treat? – Dark! The pigment in the hair is what’s targeted, this is why the best results are seen in dark hair against light skin. Darker skin types can still get amazing results but are more suited to ND:YAG lasers or diode lasers (Soprano is a brilliant choice for these skin types). Unfortunately lasers will not work on light or red hair.
How to get permanent hair removal?
Electrolysis! This is a well-known technology, but it’s often seen as ‘old fashioned’. Well if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it because to date, electrolysis is the only device that can claim permanent hair removal!
Electrolysis works by using a probe that is inserted directly into the hair follicle where a heat (diathermy) and galvanic current are delivered at the same time to create a chemical reaction that damages the blood supply. Once the hair is treated it is then extracted.
FAQ
How many treatments? – This will depend hugely on how many hairs are present and thickness of the hair but it’s not a quick fix, it’s quite a lengthy process so be prepared for the long haul especially on areas with lots of hair.
What sort of reduction is seen after a course? – Once completed the hairs will be completely gone and skin will be smooth, but as mentioned above this will take some time.
How often do you need to have treatments? – Initially a bi-weekly treatment is need but over time the gaps between treatments will increase.
What does it feel like? – It feels like a hot sting, it’s not a very comfortable treatment and some clients do find it quite painful but sessions generally only last 15-30 minutes and you get used to it after some time.
What needs to be avoided? – Waxing, plucking & epilating, you must let the hair grow to a length that it can be plucked out following insertion of the probe. This can be a downside for clients, especially if it’s facial hair, however it’s a means to an end and depending on your practitioner most areas can be cleared in a session leaving it hair free! You must keep the area out of the sun during the course and use an SPF daily!
Are there any associated risks? – There is a chance of PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) if the area is subject to sun exposure during the healing phase. There is also a risk of burning and scarring if the treatment is done incorrectly
What should I look for? – Always be sure to have a consultation before starting treatment, don’t be afraid to ask your practitioner about their experience, you have a right to know. If you are nervous about the treatment I would recommend asking for a patch test so that you can see your skin reaction and the comfort level
(click here for a link to the British Institute & Association of Electrologists – BIAE – This has a register of electrologists that have passed a very high standard of exams to show they are the best of the best!)
What colour hair does electrolysis treat? – Any and every kind of hair! This is why it’s so great, you can treat any thickness and colour and it will work just as well on all of them!
Remember that we all have hair and if you want to embrace it then I fully support that but if it’s getting you down then these options may help to combat your concerns.
If you have any questions or would like any suggestions on clinics in your area feel free to contact me.
Thank you for reading
Xxx
Zoe
Veins, they’re pretty important let’s be honest. They carry blood around our body giving oxygen and nutrients to our vital organs so quite rightly we should feel thankful for them…well in some cases it’s okay to be a bit annoyed with them being there! Visible veins most commonly found on the face and legs can be a great distress for men and woman alike and it’s often not know what the best treatment approach is.
I’ve treated countless vein cases in my time as a practitioner and believe me, they are easier to get rid of than you’d think. This blog will explain the different types of vein and the best treatment approaches!
Continue reading “Everything you need to know about veins…and how to get rid of them!”
Sunscreen is incredibly important in the quest for skin health and the prevention of premature ageing. In practice I constantly hear ‘oh I have an SPF in my foundation’ or ‘I have an SPF 30 in my moisturiser’…sorry guys it’s really not enough. In this post, I’m going to try to convince you that wearing a broad-spectrum Sunscreen every day is definitely in your best interest! Wish me luck…
Continue reading “Why having an SPF in your make up isn’t enough!”
It’s summer time and the pressure to get our bikini bods on point is at its highest. It’s no secret that a good diet and exercise is the most effective way to get us feeling great mentally and physically. However, for those areas that we need a little helping hand in there is now fat freezing!
Pigmentation is by far the hardest condition that I’m faced with treating. The main reasons for this are lack of understanding, unrealistic expectations and an unwillingness to follow homecare advice. As an experienced practitioner, I take a lot of time to sit with my clients and educate them on the reasons for their pigmentation and the best treatment options.
